MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama State freshmen Richard Gonzalez and Richard Amion were named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American team, selected by Collegiate Baseball.
Gonzalez (5-10, 170; Caguas, PR) played in every game this season, starting all but one, and caught 52 games behind the plate for the Hornets. He was second on the team with a .292 average, and ranked third in both runs batted in (32) and slugging percentage (.373). He tied for fourth in the SWAC in hits (62), tied for third in triples (four), tied for the conference lead in runners picked off (five), and led the league by throwing out 34 runners trying to steal base.
Amion (5-11, 175; Cutler Bay, Fla.)played in 50 games with 46 starts in the outfield, 38 of those in center field. He was third on the team in batting average (.286), first in runs scored (40), tied for first in walks (24) and is tied for sixth in the nation in stolen bases (36).
“I’m really happy for Gonzalez and Amion,” head coach Mervyl Melendez said. “They worked extremely hard this past year and being recognized as among the best freshmen in the country is a great honor for them, and it is definitely an honor for me as their head coach.”
FOUR PICKED IN MLB DRAFT: Four Hornets’ baseball signees were selected in this week’s Major League Baseball draft. SS Angel Joshua Ortega was drafted in the sixth round (215 overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers. C/OF Jorge Fernandez was selected in the seventh round (220 overall) by the Minnesota Twins. RHP Malcom Diaz was picked in the 13th round by the San Diego Padres, and 2B Janluis Castro was selected in the 16th round by the Texas Rangers.
